Pot-securing apparatus and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A pot support adapted to be secured on the ground for receiving and maintaining a pot therein in a desired position in respect with the ground is presented. The pot support comprising including a ground-securing member adapted to secure the pot support to the ground. A kit thereof is also presented.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present invention relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/834,941 filed Jun. 14, 2013, entitled POT-SECURING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF, incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a pot-securing apparatus and a pot support system. More precisely, the present invention relates to a pot support system adapted to receive a pot therein to maintain the pot in a desired position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to grow plants, crops and trees culture in pot in a controlled environment. These pots need to remain in a predetermined position in order for the plants and trees to grow correctly. Pots are generally disposed on the ground in a vertical position where their openings are located in a direction adapted to receive rain and sprayed water to keep the soil moist and to ensure proper growth of the plant or the tree therein.

Pots that stand freely on the ground tend to fall on their sides. Plants, crops and trees cannot optimally grow when they are leaning horizontally on the ground. It is time-consuming to put them back in their vertical position manually. It is more difficult to keep the pot vertical when a high plant or a large tree is in the pot. A stick or a pole engaged in the ground is mandatory at some point to prevent the plant or the tree to fall on its side given the weight distribution above the pot.

Prior art pots holders are cumbersome because they, inter alia, have a significant footprint on the ground thus preventing high-density pots layouts on the ground. Prior art pots holders are also preventing easy circulation around the pots.

The height of the plants in the pots is also an issue with prior art pots holder. High plants in pots have a significant lever effect and are easily subject to the wind hence providing significant stress on the pot-holder.

Further, the wind can push the plants and the pots on their sides. Plants held in the pots can be lying on the ground and overheat or can be lying on protective geotextile that can burn the leaves of the plants.

Digging a pot in the ground to maintain it causes other issues because it is subject to freeze and thaw cycles that can extract the pot, or prior art pot supports, from the ground.

In view of the prior art it appears that improvements over the prior art is desirable to improve prior art pots and pot supports to maintain the plant in a vertical position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support adapted to be secured on the ground with a securing mechanism, the pot support is being sized and designed such that it can removably receive therein a pot that is maintained in a predetermined position thereof.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support including a pot-receiving opening adapted to receive a pot therein to maintain a pot in a predetermined position in respect with the ground. The pot support being removably securable to the ground with a ground-engaging mechanism, for instance a screw-type securing mechanism, the pot support is preferably sized and designed such that it can removably receive therein a pot that is maintained in a desired position to allow proper growth of the plant, or the tree or other vegetable living matter, growing in the pot.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a series of independent pot supports adapted to be discretely positioned and secured on the ground to allow defining desired layouts of pot supports to receive respective pots with vegetal living matter therein.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support having an outside periphery about the same size as the outside periphery of the pot it is adapted to secure to the ground.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support including UV resistant material adapted to sustain significant sunlight for the significant duration of time without changing mechanical properties that would jeopardize the function of the pot support.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support including colored material adapted to reflect or accumulate sunlight heat to provide the right temperature for the vegetal living matters in the pot to grow.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a spiral-like ground-engaging member adapted to secure a pot support on the ground, the spiral-like ground-engaging member being sized and designed such that it can removably secure and maintain the pot support in a predetermined position. The spiral-like ground-engaging member can illustratively be made of wire material having sufficient mechanical strength.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support equipped with a spiral-like ground-engaging member adapted to receive and maintain a pot in a predetermined position on the ground.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot equipped with a spiral-like ground-engaging member adapted to receive and maintain the pot in a predetermined position on the ground.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a conical spiral-like ground-engaging member to improve the mechanical engagement of the ground-engaging member with the ground.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support adapted to be secured on the ground, the pot support including an air chamber and ventilation openings communicating thereof that is material for controlling the temperature of the pot that is maintained in the pot support.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support adapted to be secured on the ground, the pot support is provided with liquid (water) drain openings that are material for controlling the amount of fluid contained in the pot maintained in the desired position by the pot support.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support assembly adapted to be secured on the ground with a securing member, the securing member being adapted to engage the ground to sufficiently secure the pot support to the ground with sufficient strength for holding in a desired position a pot with a plant or a tree therein. The securing mechanism can be configured to interact with the exterior of the pot support or with the interior of the pot support to secure the pot support to the ground.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support adapted to be secured on the ground with an associated securing member adapted to engage the ground with sufficient strength that a pot with a plant or a tree therein is going to be maintained in a predetermined position by the pot support to properly collect water and sunlight thus ensuring proper growth of the plant or the tree therein; the securing member of at least one embodiment illustratively engaging the ground with a rotational movement or a translational movement.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot-securing member including a biased portion adapted to spring-load the pot support toward the ground to help prevent relative motions therebetween and provide a strong hold of the pot support.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a securing member tool configured to be operatively coupled to the securing member to engage the securing member in the ground.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a plurality of types and shapes of securing members configured to engage soils of different mechanical properties with sufficient strength to maintain the pot support to the ground. The securing member can be embodied, for example, with a rod and a corkscrew shaped ground engaging portion, or a screw-type thread.

At least one aspect of the invention with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a modular assembly of the securing member allowing for the interchangeability of the components of the securing member. The securing member can be assembled with parts of different shapes and sizes to configure the securing member for different situations and different needs. Modular elements include, inter alia, a pot support, a securing member, a ground-engaging member, a biasing member, a tool engaging member and a securing members installation tool. At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a of kit of pot support comprising a pot support, a securing member, a ground engaging member, a biasing member, a tool engaging member and a securing members installation tool. At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a kit of pot support comprising a pot support and a securing member.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a pot support adapted to be secured on the ground for receiving and maintaining a pot therein in a desired position in respect with the ground, the pot support comprising a pot support including a ground-securing member adapted to secure the pot support.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a kit of pot support comprising a pot support and a ground-securing member adapted to secure the pot support to the ground.

At least one aspect of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, provides a securing member adapted to secure a pot support on the ground, the securing member comprising a ground engaging portion; a stem; and a biasing portion; wherein the ground engaging portion being adapted to be screwed in the ground, wherein the stem being adapted to connect together the ground engaging portion and the biasing portion, wherein the biasing portion is adapted to apply pressure to the pot support toward the ground, wherein the biasing portion is adapted to cover the bottom portion of the pot support and exercise its pressure all over the bottom portion of the pot support.

Other advantages might become apparent to the skilled reader of this patent specification in light of the text and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 A-F are an exemplary illustration of a various steps for securing a pot support on the ground with an exemplary securing member;

FIGS. 2 A-L are an illustration of the bottom portion of the pot support with some different non-exhaustive variations of the openings on the bottom portion allowing the insertion of the securing member as well as other functions such as drainage;

FIGS. 3 A-J is an illustration of the securing member with some of its different possible shapes, sizes and configurations;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the securing member being used and adapted for different types of ground;

FIGS. 5 A-E are an illustration of the pot support receiving and accommodating different sizes of pots;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the pot support allowing drainage for the plant contained in the pot;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the pot support allowing aeration for the plant contained in the pot;

FIGS. 8 A-C are an illustration of the distribution and exercise of pressure by the ground engaging portion and the biasing portion of the securing member in the ground and on the base of the pot support to secure the pot support on the ground;

FIGS. 9 A-F are an illustration of some of the different possible types of shapes and sizes of the pot support that can be secured on the ground with the securing member.

FIGS. 10 A-F are an exemplary illustration of the modular assembly for the securing member and an exemplary illustration of how the different parts of the securing member can be assembled and installed to secure the pot support;

FIGS. 11 A-C are an exemplary embodiment of the tool interaction with the securing member to rotate the securing member to screw the securing member in the ground;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of a ground-engaging member;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of a ground-engaging member;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of a ground-engaging member in cooperation with a pot support;

FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of a ground-engaging member in cooperation with a pot support; and

FIG. 16 is an exemplary illustration of a ground-engaging member in cooperation with a pot support.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in simplified format in order to facilitate the description of the present invention.

A general pot support 10 installation is illustrated in FIG. 1. The pot support 10 is put on the ground 14 and a securing member 18 is used to secure the pot support 10 to the ground 14 in a desired position. The pot support 10 installation can be subdivided in a plurality of steps a) through f) as depicted in FIG. 1. The pot support 10 can generally be defined as an apparatus, a receptacle, a wire frame or a support assembly adapted to be secured to the ground 14 and further adapted to receive therein and secure a pot 22 to maintain the pot 22 in a predetermined and desirable position.

A ground-engaging securing member 18 is used to secure the pot support 10 to the ground 14. The securing member 18 can be embodied in various fashions to provide the desired result without departing from the scope of the invention. The securing member 18 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a ground-engaging portion 26, a stem 30, a pot support contact member that can optionally be biased to apply pressure on the pot support toward the ground, the pot support contact member is going to be referred to as a biasing portion 34 hereinbelow, and securing member 18 further include a tool-engaging portion 38.

The securing member 18 illustrated in FIG. 1 A)-F) is sized and designed such that the ground-engaging portion 26 can pass through a corresponding opening disposed in the pot support 10 and engage the ground 14 while the biasing portion 34 abuts and interferes with the pot support 10 to maintain the pot support 10 in a vertical position on the ground 14. One way of achieving that is to have a biasing portion 34 larger than the ground-engaging portion 26 (proportions on the Figures might vary for reasons of clarity).

According to FIG. 1, in order, [FIG. 1A] a pot support 10 is put on the ground 14 at a desired location thereof; [FIG. 1B] a securing member 14 is installed through the bottom portion 46 of the pot support 10; [FIG. 1C] a securing member tool 42 is operatively connected to the securing member 18 via a tool-engaging portion 38 to rotate the securing member 18 and hence [FIG. 1D] screw the securing member 18 in the ground 14 [FIG. 1E] until the biasing portion 34 contacts the pot support 10 to apply pressure thereon thus ensuring sufficient contact between the pot support 10 and the ground 14. The securing member tool 42 is disengaged from the tool-engaging portion 38 and [FIG. 1F] the pot support 10 is ready to receive therein a pot 22. The securing member tool 42 can then be used with another securing member 18 to engage with the ground 14. It can also be appreciated that the pot support 10 has a shape allowing piling a plurality of pot supports 10 on top of each other for storage to save some space when they are not installed on the ground 14.

The bottom portion 42 of the pot support 10 can include a variety of openings 50, 54 therein. A securing member opening 54 adapted to receive the securing member 18 therein is provided in the pot support 10. The securing member opening 54 can also be used as a drain. Optional additional drains 50 are also defined in the pot support 10 to allow fluid drainage from the pot support 10. An exemplary set of openings layouts is depicted in FIG. 2 A)-L). The securing member opening 54 is sized and designed to be operatively compatible with the securing member 18. Other shape and sizes of opening might not be illustrated and are within the scope of the present application.

Moving now to FIG. 3 illustrating a plurality of securing members 18 having different shapes and configurations. The length of the stem 30 and the diameter of the ground-engaging portion 26 are generally selected in consideration of the type of grounds 14 (not illustrated in FIG. 3). The longer stems 30 and wider ground-engaging portions 26 are preferably used in soft and light grounds 14. For instance, securing members 58 made of solid metallic materials and wide threads (ground-engaging portion 26) are preferably used in soft grounds 14. Securing members 62 made of steel rods and corkscrew-type ground-engaging portions 26 are preferably used in medium grounds 14 and screw-like (and bolt-like) securing members 66 are preferably used in hard grounds 14, concrete or asphalt. Another alternative illustration of the use of the different types of securing members 18 is depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates different possible and exemplary fits between a pot 22 and a pot support 10. FIG. 5A illustrates pot 22 that is not assembled with a corresponding pot support 10, FIG. 5B illustrates a standard fit, FIG. 5C illustrates an oversized pot 22, FIG. 5D illustrates a reduced-size pot 22 and FIG. 5E illustrates a longer pot 22. This illustrates that a single pot support 10 can accommodate a variety of pot 22 sizes. The fit between the pot support 10 and the pot 22 has several effects, namely the distance between the bottom of the pot 22 and the bottom of the pot support 10, the height of the pot 22 extending above the pot support 10, and the space between the pot 22 and the pot support 10. That can have an effect on the drainage of the pot 22, the ventilation of the pot 22 and the holding of the pot 22 in the pot support 10. FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary holes 70 for draining water or fluid from the pot 22 and pot support 10. While FIG. 7 illustrates a plurality of ventilation holes 74 adapted to increase air circulation between the pot 22 and the pot support 10 to control the amount of water, the humidity and the temperature of the pot 22 to prevent overheating thereof. The gap 82 between the pot 22 and the pot support 10 can also be used to ventilate the air found in the volume 78 between the pot 22 and the pot support 10.

Turning now to FIG. 8 illustrating the biasing portion 34 that can be embodied as a biasing member 86, a spring portion, a pre-tensed portion, or any other means to apply tension with a mechanism using the elastic deformation of a mechanical element. In FIG. 8A a curved steel rod 90 is used as a biasing member 86 to bias the pot support 10 toward the ground, FIG. 8B a bent steel flat 94 is used to apply pressure on the bottom portion of the pot support 10, and FIG. 8C illustrates a curved steel rod 90 is used to apply pressure on the bottom side portion of the pot support 10 thus preventing applying pressure directly on the bottom portion of the pot support 10.

FIG. 9 illustrated different possible and exemplary shapes and dimensions for the pot support 10 that can be combined with the securing member 18 in order to receive, accommodate and secure different types of pots having different shapes and sizes. In more details, illustration of a) disc shape pot support with a low height and a large base in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B illustrates a cylindrical shape pot support with a high height and a narrow base, FIG. 9C illustrates a conical shaped pot support with a large base and a reduced circumference at the top, FIG. 9C illustrates a reduced-size regular shape pot support, FIG. 9E illustrates an oversized regular shape pot support, and FIG. 9F illustrates a standard fit of a regular shape pot support.

FIG. 10 illustrated a modular assembly of the securing member 18 and one exemplary embodiment of a pot 10 and securing member 18. In more details, FIG. 10A illustrates a fully assembled securing member 18 including the upper junctions portion 98 with the biasing portion 34. The biasing portion 34 is further connected to the tool-engaging portion 38. The lower junction portion 102 is connected to the ground-engaging portion 26. Both junction portions 98, 102 are adapted to be assembled to the stem 30. In FIG. 10B, an isolated stem 30 destined to keep all parts of the securing member together is illustrated. The isolated stem 30 can be inserted through a stem-receiving opening defined in the pot as illustrated in FIG. 10C. A variety of biasing portions 34 having different configurations are illustrated in FIG. 10C with their respective associated embedded tool-engaging portion 38. Similarly, a variety of ground engaging portions 26 are also illustrated with ground engaging portions 26 of different configurations are depicted in FIG. 10D. A selection of a desired biasing portion 34 and desired ground-engaging portion 26 are adapted to be assembled on respective ends of the stem 30 once it is in its operative position through the pot 10. The stem 30 is preferably positioned through the pot support 10 before both the biasing portion 34 and the ground engaging portion 26 are assembled to the securing member 18. The biasing portion 34, with its associated tool-engaging portion 38, is to be secured to stem 30 via its corresponding upper junction portion 98. Similarly, the ground-engaging portion 26 is to be secured to the stem 30 via its corresponding lower junction portions 102. The upper junction portion 98 and the lower junction portion 102 are both operatively securable to stem 30 in a fashion ensuring a strong assembly and the integrity of the assembled securing member 18. FIG. 10E depicts the fully assembled securing member 18 in position before securing the pot support 10 on the ground. FIG. 10F depicts the securing member 18 assembled with the pot support 10 and is in a position identical to being secured on the ground. Assembly of the securing member 18 can be achieved through various means including, and not limited to, press-fitting, wielding, gluing, riveting, clipping, fastening with a fastener, coil spring or other.

Turning now to FIG. 11 that illustrates one possible embodiment of the interaction between a securing member tool 42 and an operatively corresponding tool-engaging portion 38. The tool-engaging portion 38 is associated with the biasing portion 34 and its associated upper junction portion 98. In more details, the illustration in FIG. 11A depicts the securing member tool 42 inserted in the corresponding tool engaging portion 38 in an exemplary configuration. FIG. 11B illustrates that a notch 106 in the tool-engaging portion 38 allows the securing member tool 42 and the tool-engaging portion 38 to mate together and transmit rotational movements thereof to “screw” the securing member 18 in the ground. It is illustrated in FIG. 11C that the securing member tool 42 is sized and designed to be inserted in the upper junction portion 87 and allow transmission of rotational motion between the securing member tool 42 and the securing member 18 because of its square shape. Alternatively, a notch 106, or any other mechanism adapted to transmit rotational motion between the securing member tool 42 and the securing member 18, in the securing member tool 42 is considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 depicts another embodiment of the securing member 18 that has a conical corkscrew shape. The corkscrew shape is conical about angle α. The corkscrew shape of the securing member 18 improves the connection with the ground. When screwed in the ground, the conical shape requires an extension of the narrower corkscrew shape at the upper side thereof. The extension of the narrower corkscrew shape applies additional pressure on the ground and further secures the securing member 18 to the ground. The illustrated embodiments of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are depicted with a straight upper portion that can alternatively be modified to be shaped in different ways as expressed in the other embodiments of the present application.

Moving to FIGS. 14-16 that are illustrating various configuration of the securing member 18 using a conical corkscrew shape and a biasing portion 34 adapted to bias the pot support 10 to the ground.

The description and the drawings that are presented above are meant to be illustrative of the present invention. They are not meant to be limiting of the scope of the present invention. Modifications to the embodiments described may be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims: 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pot support adapted to be secured on the ground for receiving and maintaining a pot therein in a desired position in respect with the ground, the pot support comprising: a pot support including a ground-securing member adapted to secure the pot support.
 2. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the ground-securing member is configured to be screwed in the ground.
 3. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the ground-securing member is a separate part assembled to the pot support.
 4. The pot support of claim 3, wherein the pot support includes a bottom portion including at least one opening therein adapted to receive therein the securing member to assemble the securing member to the pot support.
 5. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the ground-securing member includes a biasing portion adapted to apply pressure to the pot support toward the ground.
 6. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the ground-securing member includes a metallic rod.
 7. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the ground-securing member includes coil shape.
 8. The pot support of claim 7, wherein the ground-securing member includes a conical shape.
 9. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the pot support is adapted to accommodate pots of different sizes.
 10. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the pot support is also the pot.
 11. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the pot support has a frusto-conical shape.
 12. The pot support of claim 1, wherein the pot support includes at least one drain opening therein.
 13. A kit of pot support comprising a pot support and a ground-securing member adapted to secure the pot support to the ground.
 14. The kit of pot support of claim 13, wherein the ground-securing member is configured to be screwed in the ground.
 15. The kit of pot support of claim 13, wherein the pot support includes a bottom portion including at least one opening therein adapted to receive therein the securing member to assemble the securing member to the pot support.
 16. The kit of pot support of claim 13, wherein the ground-securing member includes a biasing portion adapted to apply pressure to the pot support toward the ground.
 17. The kit of pot support of claim 13, wherein the ground-securing member includes a metallic rod.
 18. The kit of pot support of claim 13, wherein the ground-securing member includes coil shape.
 19. The kit of pot support of claim 18, wherein the ground-securing member includes a conical shape.
 20. A securing member adapted to secure a pot support on the ground, the securing member comprising: a ground-engaging portion; a stem; and a biasing portion; wherein the ground engaging portion being adapted to be screwed in the ground, wherein the stem being adapted to connect together the ground-engaging portion and the biasing portion, wherein the biasing portion is adapted to apply pressure to the pot support toward the ground, wherein the biasing portion is adapted to cover the bottom portion of the pot support and exercise its pressure all over the bottom portion of the pot support. 